Shin Bet seeks to question Arab party leaders over alleged foreign interference in Israeli elections

Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) Director David Zini is seeking to question four Arab members of the Knesset, including three party leaders, under caution as part of an investigation into suspected foreign interference in Israel’s parliamentary elections, according to Israeli media reports.

The reported request comes amid efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party to challenge aspects of the election results, particularly the Arab vote.

Israeli news channel i24NEWS reported Tuesday that Zini had requested the questioning of Ahmad Tibi, leader of the Arab Movement for Change (Ta’al); Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List (Ra’am); and Sami Abu Shehadeh, leader of the National Democratic Assembly (Balad).

The report referred to a fourth Arab lawmaker but did not identify the individual.

Meanwhile, Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara rejected accusations that her office had obstructed the investigation.

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Responding to media inquiries Tuesday, the Attorney General’s Office described allegations of prosecutorial interference as “baseless,” emphasising that several significant investigative measures requested by the Shin Bet had already been authorized.

The office also announced the establishment of a joint investigative team involving the Shin Bet and Israel Police, operating under the supervision of the State Attorney’s Office.

According to the statement, the team will work to complete the investigation as quickly as possible, and all individuals whose questioning is considered necessary will be interrogated.

The developments come amid continuing political controversy over the Knesset election results and allegations of foreign involvement in efforts to increase Arab voter turnout.

The reports did not establish that the named lawmakers had committed any wrongdoing or confirm whether their questioning had been formally authorised.

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